FOUNDER and PRESIDENT

ABA of Illinois was founded by Karen Harper to fill the growing need for quality behavioral consulting services in Illinois. Karen has worked with agencies, schools, and families for over 20 years and has an established presence in the Chicago-land community. Karen's person-centered focus allows for the unique design of behavioral support strategies. Her experience as a BCBA as well as an Administrator of adult residential homes, childrens' day cares, school programs, and Early Intervention allows for a diverse perspective that is all-encompassing.

EMPLOYEES

ABA of Illinois, LLC employs board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and behavior analysts who have a range of experience and expertise in the field of applied behavior analysis. All of our consultants are certified through the Department of Human Services to provide behavioral services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

John Frizzell is a finance and accounting management professional with over 15 years of provenleadership experience. He has displayed innovation and strategic planning with a great deal ofexperience managing finance departments in the higher education, healthcare, and not-for- profitsectors is where his professional experience has focused. He is a highly motivated leader committed toteamwork development and effective communication in order to produce exemplary results. He has anundergraduate degree in accounting and earned my Master in Public Administration from the Universityof Illinois at Chicago.

John worked for the University of Illinois at Chicago in the College of Dentistry as the Executive Directorof Finance. He led all finance operations for the College while making huge positive impacts to thebottom line. He streamlined the billing process by implementing a clearinghouse and working through aSix Sigma Lean project to enhance revenue for the College.

John enjoys living in Bradenton Florida with his wife and son. He enjoys working out, playing billiards,and going to the beach with his family.

Imran is a board certified behavior analyst working with children and adults with developmental disabilities since 2005. Upon defending his thesis on functional language acquisition in children with autism spectrum disorder, he continued his studies at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology as a doctoral student. His dissertation examined individual performance under various types of group contingencies.

Jeff is a board certified behavior analyst who received his bachelor of science degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in 2006 and received his master of arts in clinical psychology with a specialization in applied behavior analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2009. Jeff has experience working with children and adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities and their families across various settings since 2005 (outpatient clinic, schools, in-home therapy).

Rachel is a board certified behavior analyst and graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with her master’s degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis on applied behavior analysis. Rachel has been working with children and adults with developmental disabilities for over 4 years.

Areas of Expertise: School settings for children with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other developmental disabilities; development and implementation of Behavior Support Plans for both children and adults with developmental disabilities; and skill acquisition programming for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Chelsea graduated Summa Cum Laude in her bachelor’s studies at Western Michigan University and completed her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is currently pursuing her PhD and is passionate about bringing behavior analysis to new fields and all aspects of life. She has worked both with children and adults with developmental disabilities since 2008.

Areas of Expertise: working with children with autism, working with adults with developmental disabilities in residential and day programs, functional behavior assessments, DTT, development and implementation of individualized program.

Jan is a board certified behavior analyst who has been working in the field since 1994. Jan holds a Master of Education degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jan has experience working with children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as other challenges. Jan has worked with children and adults in a variety of settings, including the home, school, workplace and community settings. Jan began working in this field in Pennsylvania, but has since relocated to Chicago, where he has been working exclusively with the adult population for the last 4 years.

Areas of expertise include working with adults with behavioral and developmental disabilities in residential and day programs, integrating them into the community and development and implementation of individualized behavioral support programs.

Tim is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology receiving a Master’s degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis. His thesis research was conducted in the area of Relational Frame Theory and Intelligence Quotients (IQ). Tim has been working in the field of applied behavior analysis in multiple settings, which include day programs, residential programs, in-home therapy, and school settings.

David is a Ph.D. student in applied behavior analysis at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where he earned his master's degree in applied behavior analysis in 2014. He was a teacher for nine years, working with students from 1.5-years-old to seniors in high school, with and without special needs, in the United States and Asia. He has experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities in group homes, day programs, and in family homes.

Cassie ﻿is a board certified behavior analyst holding a masters of arts from The Chicago School of Professional Ps﻿ychology, where she is currently pursuing a PhD in applied behavior analysis. She has been working with children diagnosed with Autism and other disabilities since undergrad, where she earned a bachelors of science in psychobiology from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 2004. Cassie has experience working in and collaborating with schools, residential group home settings, and psychiatric hospitals with clients diagnosed with a variety of intellectual disabilities and mental health illnesses.

Rebecca is a board certified assistant behavior analyst who received her bachelors of science in psychology at York College in York, Nebraska. She completed BCaBA coursework from the University of West Florida. She completed her fieldwork at York General Hospital, Four Corners Health Department, and the University of Nebraska-Medical Center Munroe-Meyer Institute. Rebecca began working with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities in 2012. She has experience working with children in the clinic and school settings and with adults in day program and group home settings.

Melissa Ryan graduated from Columbia College in Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Melissa has a variety of experience working with behavior intervention across a variety of different settings. Experience includes early intervention programs with PSD 202 as well as BD/SE classroom management experience. She has over 11 years of experience working with children with multi needs and special needs as well as children with Autism. She acquired her RBT in 2015 and has provided in home therapy based on Applied Behavior Analysis principles and support for clients specialized to each client’s specific needs while working with families on their child’s programming needs. She currently is assigned to ECHO School (Exceptional Children Have Opportunities) where she is instrumental in behavior intervention on the Student Support Team as a Registered Behavior Technician. She implements behavior intervention and proactive strategies in a variety of classrooms within the school to decrease maladaptive behaviors and increase academic performance as well as increase social skills, self-regulation, and life skills. She is Menta and CPR Certified.

Ashley is a board certified behavior analyst who graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with her master’s degree in clinical psychology, specializing in applied behavior analysis. Ashley has worked with individuals in a variety of different settings including; schools, homes, community, and day programs. Ashley has been working with adults and children with various disabilities since 2007. Ashley's thesis focus was a functional analysis and treatment of bizarre speech.

Areas of Expertise: Working with adults with co-morbid diagnoses in day program and group home settings, verbal behavior, functional behavior assessments, data analysis, and problem behavior reduction.

Ashley graduated with a master of science degree in applied behavior analysis from Southern Illinois University in 2011. Ashley currently works with adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness in the day program and residential settings. She has also worked at a therapeutic school for children with developmental disabilities and behavior disorders as well as provided in-home services to children with autism.

Ashley focuses on working collaboratively with the team and caregivers to help create and implement effective support plans.

Jean is a certified teacher with a master's degree in biology and psychology with an emphasis on genetics. She has a post-graduate certificate from University of North Texas in applied behavior analysis. She has worked in the areas of special education and behavior analysis for many years, in Texas and North Dakota as well as Illinois. Her original mentor was Marion Breland Bailey who had been B F Skinner's second graduate student.

Jean particularly enjoys working with developmentally disabled adults and adolescents. She is also skilled in the use of service and therapy dogs in both private and institutional settings.

Jaime is a board certified behavior analyst with over 15 years experience in the field of ABA. She has worked with individuals with a wide variety of behavioral, language and communication, and social skill concerns, with various diagnoses including ASDs, MR/DD, MI, and TBI. Jaime has successfully treated age ranges from infants through geriatrics across intensive home, educational, inpatient hospital, workshop, and community settings with a focus on swift identification of functions of behavior, functional skill acquisition, and parent/family, teacher, and staff training for long-term effectiveness and behavior change. Jaime is enthusiastic about the field of ABA and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others, so they too, can be agents of behavior change.

Jocelyn attended undergrad at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelors in Psychology. She then attended the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she received her Masters in Child and Adolescent Psychology. She completed her BCBA coursework at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is currently pursuing her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology

She has five years of experience working providing behavior management services to adults with various developmental disabilities. She also has two years of experience providing in home ABA therapy and Behavior Intervention services to children and young adults diagnosed with Autism and various psychiatric disorders.

Candace is a board certified behavior analyst and graduated from Saint Xavier University with a master of arts degree in special education. Candace has over five years of experience teaching children with autism. She has consulted with school districts to assist staff with teaching and behavior strategies for students with varying abilities.

Areas of Expertise: working with children with autism, classroom structure and supports, teacher/staff training, behavior analyst in school system

Jenny completed her master’s of science degree in applied behavior analysis in October of 2015 at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Jenny received her board certification in May of 2016. She has over two years of experience as a direct care support professional (DSP) in both the vocational and residential settings. As a DSP Jenny served both adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Working as a DSP is where Jenny found her passion for working with individuals with disabilities, and decided to pursue a career in applied behavior analysis.

As an intern at Misericordia, Jenny acquired skills in staff training, functional behavior assessments with write-ups, skills assessments using ABLLS-R and AFLS, functional analysis, behavior reduction plan writing and implementation. As a behavior therapist, working in agencies across the Chicago area, Jenny gained knowledge in working in an interdisciplinary team and promoting the most and effective and efficient plans for client.

Nekesha is a board certified behavior analyst with over 12 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness in home, school, and community settings. She has a master’s degree from the University of Memphis, where she completed the applied behavior analysis program.

Areas of Expertise: Nekesha specializes in working with adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness who have a history in engaging in intense challenging behaviors, the development and implementation of individualized behavior support plans, data collection, staff training, and crisis prevention/de-escalation.​

Sateraé Terry is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from Aurora University in 2014 and 2016 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis respectfully. Her capstone centered on cognitive defusion for residential youth. A few of her interests include staff training as well as ACT Therapy. She has previously worked as a behavior assistant at Little City Foundation where she served both children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She has also worked as a child care worker at Lydia Home Association where she served typically developing adolescents with emotional instabilities.​Sateraé specializes in developing and implementing behavior intervention plans as well as behavior change programs (i.e., token economy), data tracking and analyzing, and discrete trial training.

﻿﻿Marissa graduated Magna Cum Laude, from Chaminade University of Honolulu, in psychology. She is currently an active student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, pursuing her master's degree and PhD in applied behavior analysis. Marissa has been working in the field for seven years and has previously worked in California and Hawaii.

Areas of Expertise: Early intervention, skill acquisition for children and adults with developmental disabilities, adults in group and day programs, functional communication training, decreasing severe injurious behaviors, and parent/staff trainings.﻿﻿

Dan is a behavior analyst, who graduated with a master’s degree from Kaplan University studying psychology with an emphasis in the field of ﻿applied behavior analysis. Dan has just over 3 years of experience working with children and adults﻿ with developmental disabilities. Prior to working for ABA of Illinois, Dan worked as a 1-on-1 instructor with children and teens on the autism spectrum.

Jenny is a board certified behavior analyst. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a master’s degree in behavior analysis and therapy. Jenny has worked in the field for 13 years supporting adults and children with developmental disabilities. For 8 years, she supervised a day program for adults with developmental disabilities and created a specialized program for adults with autism. She has also provided in-home programs for children with autism focusing on skill acquisition and functional communication training.

Areas of Expertise: Development and implementation of behavior support plans and programming, staff training, discrete trial training, skill acquisition programming for children and adults with developmental disabilities, data analysis, functional communication training.

Evelyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Family and Child Studies in 2014 from Northern Illinois University. She worked as Line Therapist with children with a diagnosis of Autism for 2 years. She recently graduated from Aurora University with a Master’s of science in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is currently working on her research project though ABA of Illinois and will be finishing over the summer.

﻿﻿Tiffany graduated from Argosy University in 2012 with a master’s in community counseling with an emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as a child and adolescence. After which she provided counseling services to families and students ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. In 2012 enrolled in the counselor education and supervision doctoral program at Argosy University. In 2013 completed the BCBA program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a focus on school and recreational based behavior interventions. As a behavior specialist in a school system, she lead the crisis team, provided direct services to students, created, implemented, modeled, and trained staff on appropriate ways to implement academic behavior plans. Additional experiences include: with working with adults and children in a therapeutic recreation programs, in home therapy and summer/day camp interventions. Most recently she completed the school counseling licensure program at the University of the Southwest in 2015 and was certified by the Illinois State School Board as a school counselor.

Areas of Expertise: Tiffany specializes in working with children and adolescents with mental health and behavioral issues as well as cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities. She has extensive experience within school systems developing and implementing culturally sensitive instructional, behavioral, social emotional, self advocating and communication programs and interventions based on a multi-tier model of intervention. She has experience with differentiating and implementing programs to meet the needs of those who have visual, auditory and/or speech impairments. Tiffany also specializes conducting interactive workshops for staff and caregivers of children and adults with behavioral challenges.

Melissa is a registered behavior technician, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree from Lewis University in organizational leadership. Melissa has worked with people with various disabilities since 2003. Her prior work experience included home-based services, nursing homes and rehab facilities.

Melissa’s areas of expertise include managing caseloads, assessments, discharge planning and advocating for individuals with disabilities.

​Zoha attended Elmhurst College with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. As part of her training, she treated clients with articulation disorder and fluency disorder at the Elmhurst College Speech Language and Hearing Clinic. Zoha spent two years tutoring preschool to high school students in math and reading at an after school program. She has additional experience as a classroom assistant facilitating students with their reading skills at a middle school.Zoha specializes in behavioral therapy and is highly skilled in working with children and families. She started working in the field as a Registered Behavior Technician providing ABA therapy to children providing services in-home, in a clinic, and in schools. Growing up in a household with a child with a disability, she feels passionately about helping children and adolescents with special needs.

Cody is a behavior therapist for ABA of Illinois and recently finished his master's degree from Kaplan University. Cody is a certified professional crisis management instructor and provides valuable training to the agencies that we partner with.

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Anne Dailey, MSBehavior Therapist(e) ﻿adailey@abaofillinois.org

Anne is a behavior therapist who graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with her master’s degree in clinical psychology, specializing in applied behavior analysis. Anne has worked with individuals in a variety of different settings including; schools, homes, and day programs. Anne has been working with children with various disabilities since 2009. Anne’s thesis focus was verbal tacts across three non-instructional settings.

Areas of Expertise: Working with children with autism and developmental delays in a therapeutic day school, parent/teacher and staff training, positive behavior support, development and implementation of behavior plans in a school setting, supporting and formulating IEP goals.

Stephanie is currently working as a level 2 behavior therapist and is finishing her thesis, in order to graduate with a masters in behavior analysis. Stephanie has worked with adults with developmental disabilities since 2008. She started working as a level 2 behavior analyst in 2010. Stephanie has experience working with adults with developmental disabilities in both day treatment settings as well as residential homes. She currently has 3 years of experience in developing and implementing behavior plans and providing services to both client and families in need.

Salena graduated in 2012 with her master's degree specializing in applied behavior analysis and counseling. She has been in the field of ABA for 10 years now, ranging in professional levels from paraprofessional, manager, and teacher to consultant. Salena has worked with adults and children, in both clinical and home environments. In addition to clinical and home settings, she has traveled to South America (Peru) numerous times and volunteered at a children’s clinic; while there she assisted in developing ABA strategies in the classroom. She has a sincere passion for using applied behavior analysis in all aspects of our lives. Salena firmly believes that ABA can benefit all, including the ever so complicated typically developing individual. One of her most admired clinicians is Aubrey Daniels; he specialized in organizational behavior management. She hopes to one day attend one of his seminars. Salena is an active participant with the OBM Network and is always looking to further advance the use of ABA in everyday life.

Karrie is finishing her thesis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she is pursuing her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. Karrie has worked in a variety of settings with many populations including a children’s hospital where she completed her internship and became a certified child life specialist (CCLS). For the past 3 years she has been working with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities in the field of applied behavior analysis.

Brian GallBehavior Therapist(e) bgall@abaofillinois.org​Brian graduated Summa Cum Laude from Chicago State University in psychology. He is currently finishing his master’s thesis on discounting choice behavior at Southern Illinois University. Brian has experience working with adults with developmental disabilities since 2008 and experience in the applied behavior analysis field since 2014.

Dominique is a level 2 behavior therapist. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2015. She has worked primarily with children with developmental disabilities and adults with traumatic brain injuries. Dominique has experience with implementing discrete trial training with children with autism spectrum disorder, facilitating classroom behavior plans, and acceptance commitment therapy. She received her bachelor's in speech language pathology at SIUC in 2010.

Robert is currently finishing his master’s degree in education at Saint Xavier University. Upon graduation, Robert will attend Kaplan University to work towards national certification. Robert has over 4 years of experience working with children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Areas of Expertise: Working with children and adolescents diagnosed with developmental disorders and mental illness, classroom settings, and in-home therapy. He also is well versed with data collection, data analysis, and functional communication training.

James is currently working as a level 1 behavior therapist working towards becoming nationally certified. James graduated from SIUC in May of 2012 with a master of science degree in behavior analysis. He currently works with adults who have been diagnosed with developmental disorders and mental illness both in day treatment settings, as well as, in-home settings and has done so since 2010. James also has two years of experience working with children who have also been diagnosed with developmental disorders and mental illness, specializing in autism spectrum disorder. Overall, he currently has 4 years of experience in developing and implementing behavioral programs and providing services to both clients and families in need.

Ashley is currently working as a level 2 behavior therapist. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Psychology degree from Roosevelt University in 2013, and will complete her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in August 2017 from Aurora University. Ashley completed her internship through ABA of Illinois and is currently working on finishing her research project called “A functional analysis on repetitive statements”. Ashley has over six years in experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Areas of Expertise: In-home therapy, foster-care settings, functional communication training, working with adults in day program and residential settings, staff/parent training.

Abraham attended graduate school in 2005 and has been ﻿working in the field of applied behavior analysis for 7 years. He has his Professional Crisis Management Practitioner 2 Certification and is a former trainer in The Mandt System. Abraham currently works in the Chicago-land and Central Illinois area.﻿

Areas of Expertise: Staff and parent training, implementing discrete trial teaching, program development, applied experience with clients with acquired and traumatic brain injuries, applied behavior analysis support in residential settings and day program (workshop) settings and is studying to become a certified brain injury specialist (CBIS).

Katie graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a masters of arts in psychology in 2010 and completed the BCBA respecialization certification program also through The Chicago School in 2011. She is currently preparing to become nationally certified. Katie has been working with children and adolescence with developmental disabilities for over 4 years in the field of applied behavior analysis.

Areas of Expertise: functional communication training (FCT), skill acquisition programming, development and implementation of proactive interventions, and working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Patrick has completed all of his coursework for a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is currently finishing his thesis. Patrick has extensive experience working with adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in both day program and residential settings. Some of his interests include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Frame Theory, and verbal behavior.

Karen has been a business manager for both private companies and public universities for over 15 years. Her experience includes working with both the State of Illinois and local governments with funding and regulations. Karen will be supporting with both billing and accounting functions at ABA of Illinois.

Areas of Expertise: Business management, billing, collections and payroll.

Alyssa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Governors State University in 2014. While completing her undergraduate degree, Alyssa was published in the Encyclopedia of Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling on her entry of “Avoidance.” She worked as a Registered Behavior Technician in a therapeutic day school for 3 years servicing children and teenagers with a wide variety of disabilities. She recently graduated from Aurora University with a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. Alyssa’s capstone project for her graduate program focused on staff training utilizing Behavioral Skills Training (BST.) While completing her Master’s degree, she also worked as a line therapist in the clinic and home setting. In 2014 Alyssa volunteered to participate in a mission trip to Nicaragua where she assisted in the behavior management program for a therapeutic school servicing children with disabilities.

Alyssa specializes in adapting varies programs to each client’s specific needs, antecedent interventions, and crisis behaviors. She also has experience with supporting and formulating IEP goals, staff training, and use of a variety of communication methods including American Sign Language and PECS (Picture Communication Systems.)

Meghan Maher ​Administrative Assistant​(e)mmaher@holtzeducationalcenter.orgMeghan joined our team in November, 2017 as Administrative Assistant. She has a varied background in hospitality, retail, and customer service. Meghan is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Computer Science.She is also a mother to an awesome little girl, and truly enjoys being a part of the growth and development of children.She is thankful for the opportunity to work in a nurturing environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence. Meghan is the first face you will see at Holtz Educational Center, and will always welcome you with a smile

​Dominique is a board certified behavior analyst and completed of The ABA Respecialization program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dominique also received her master’s degree in clinical psychology from National Louis University and her bachelor’s in psychology from South Carolina State University. Dominique has been working with adults with developmental disabilities for nearly 7 years and children with autism for 4 years. Areas of Expertise: Dominique specializes in working with individuals with dual diagnosis, staff and parent training, programing for generalization to natural settings, working with adults with developmental disabilities in residential and day program settings, working with young adults on community integration and independent skills, working with children and teachers in a school settings, formulating and implementing individualized behavior programs.​